# NTSB CEN11LA365: Boeing A75N1 (PT17), N60147, Freemont, MI, May 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 2011, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Freemont, MI - Coordinates: 43.439445, -85.995002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4394&lon=-85.9950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Other: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, McCauley Propeller Systems - NTSB case key (mKey): 79278 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA365 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79278/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79278 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA365 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to attain a positive climb rate following takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because the propeller was not provided for further examination. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from alcohol. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Impairment/incapacitation: alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 87 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Other: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Other: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane began to descend after takeoff and while on the crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern. The pilot stated that he could not stop the airplane from descending before the airplane impacted trees. The passenger stated that the airplane was running fine and that it did not sound different before the accident. The pilot did not provide the propeller assembly for further examination to determine what may have reduced the airplane’s climb performance. The Michigan Department of State Police administered a preliminary breath test to the pilot after the accident; the pilot’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.18%. The State Police Forensic Science Division’s laboratory report analyzed the pilot’s blood, which had a BAC of 0.15%. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), effects of a BAC of .18% can include confusion, dizziness, impaired visual perception, impaired balance, and moderate muscular incoordination. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 2011, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Boeing A75NA (PT17), N60147, descended and impacted terrain while turning crosswind after takeoff from Fremont Municipal Airport Fremont (FFX), Michigan. The airplane transport pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot-rated passenger was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that was to remain in the airport traffic pattern of FFX. The flight originated from FFX about 1430. The pilot-rated passenger did not have a tailwheel endorsement and had received flight instruction from the pilot prior to the day of the accident. On the day of the accident, the passenger performed the first takeoff and landing which was to be followed by the pilot performing the second takeoff and landing while remaining in the airport traffic pattern. The passenger stated that the airplane was running fine and it did not sound differently prior to the accident. The pilot-rated passenger stated that he did not realize anything was wrong until all he could see was tree branches which was followed by the impact. The pilot stated that airplane seemed to stop climbing after it entered the crosswind leg of the departure. The airplane then started to settle and descended into trees. The Michigan Department of State Police administered a preliminary breath test (PBT) to the pilot at 1610. The PBT results were 0.188 blood alcohol content (BAC). The State of Michigan Department of State Police Forensic Science Division Laboratory Report, Results of Analysis,of the pilot stated: 0.15 grams alcohol per 100 milliliters blood. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the propeller was a McCauley, D1093 Navy hub, serial number MC-45-249. One propeller blade was bent backwards and had impact marks on the back side of the blade but not on the leading edge. The engine case was cracked. The FFX airport manager said that the pilot disassembled and inspected the propeller and noted the presence of light corrosion within the hub. The pilot then threw the hub in the garbage. The airport manager said that the propeller blades had been damaged from their impact with trees. He said the pilot did not think that there was anything wrong with the propeller and did not want to provide the propeller for examination, which was requested by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector and National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge. According to the Federal Aviation Administration brochure "Alcohol and Flying," effects of a BAC of .18% - .30% can include confusion, dizziness, exaggerated emotions (anger, fear, grief) impaired visual perception, decreased pain sensation, impaired balance, staggering gait, slurred speech, and moderate muscularincoordination. Effects of a BAC of .09% - .25% can include emotional instability, loss of critical judgment, impairment of memory and comprehension, decreased sensory response, and mild muscular incoordination. It advises that "The number of serious errors committed by pilots dramatically increases at or above concentrations of 0.04% blood alcohol. This is not to say that problems don’t occur below this value. Some studies have shown decrements in pilot performance with blood alcohol concentrations as low as 0.025%." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60147](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60147), registered now, S/N 75-1951, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1 (PT17) - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-1951 - Airframe hours: 3885 - Engines: Continental W670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2010 - Departed: FFX, Freemont, MI - Destination: Freemont, MI - Airport: FFX, Fremont Municipal Airport, runway 09, 3,502 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2011; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18,925 total, 1,218 in this make and model, 17,266 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 167 °F - Observed at: FFX, 2 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110527012899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110527012899A), May 27, 2011: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Freemont, MI, Destroyed. Aircraft would not produce thrust on climb out and settled into the trees. Pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Propeller blades appear to have… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79278. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 840 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from State Agencies - Michigan State Police Excerpt (item 2, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20State%20Agencies%20-%20Michigan%20State%20Police%20Excerpt-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 4, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.